Facts About Japan

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 32, 11 August 1904, Page 15

Facts About Japan

A Japanese policeman seldom has much trouble in making an arrest 11-e itf lmebtcd with all the majesty of the law , and to the Japanese law is supieme Jt seems \eiy peculiar to see him holding a soleirm court in the street to settle some dispute between the inhabitants The surrounding crowd shows no disposition to ridicule and banter With the utmost grauty he examines the parties inteiested. notes down the inloimation gncn and finally pionomu^ lm {|puMr>n yb'rh is generally obe\ed without question This absolutism t>Uikc~> tiiL, [uioi^;n v i all the moic because t'hc policemen are usually jouthml in appearance and small in figure Five leet two inches is the standard height, and LU is the numnium age iar entrance into the foice E\ery policeman receives minute instructions as to his deportment, the position oi his hands when .standing, 'sitting, etc , and the length oi his hair, which • must not be more tnan two inches in iront, nor seven-tenths of an inch on the neck.' The Soldier. The other day, writes a correspondent oi London ' Truth,' I spoke of nee and dried fish being the uniform mod of the Japanese army in campaigning times This is the way in winch the nee is cooked • It is boiled until quite thick and glutinous. Next it is placed on a ceramic slab, rolled out and cut into squares. The squaieb -aie then placed m the sun to dry and often turned. When hard as sea biscuit and greatly ietuced in weight they can be stored A certain number are allowed each day to the soldier All he has to do is to break up a square m boiling -water and to add the dried fish. In a few minutes he has what seems to him a delicious thick soup It he cannot procure boiling water he simply eats his nee cake dry In the fruit season he substitutes Unit when he caji obtain it lor the fish. The Japanese ( soldier M Pinchon tells me. has muscle-, like whipcord, is a snire shot, has an eye for landmarks and a memoiy tor locality lie can do wit*h three hours' sleep oul of the 21, is cleanly, attends to sanitary instructions, is ardently patriotic, holds his hie cheap, and runs up hills like a gjoat lie costs the State about lUI a day and thmJcs himself weU of!. A Tea Paity Directly on the arrnal of the guests, who are expected to appear on such occasions in lull dress, they are seated in the teahouse within the tea garden, and the beverage ser\ed to each one sepaiately. The fixtures oi the room and surroundings generally are always the same. There is a platiorm which is called the ' tokojiomo ' or ' place to hang the picture ' This platform is also decorated with flowers. The bamboo dipper in which tea is served very properly is attached to the hd of the teapot. Abo\e a large, porcelain vessel containing a charcoal rue js placed the kettle. Cute little lacquered caddies are used for holding powdered tea, and a crepe or silk cloth called the ' fuku.sa ' is held in the hostess' hand for the purpose of removing flecks of scattered tea dust. W'hrti the water has reached the proper degree of heat the lady deitly pours the powdered tea from the caddy and the water from the kettle simultaneously into the bamboo dipper, and proceeds co stir it careiuily with a " chasen,' a sort of leather brush made of bamboo, one end of which is chopped into fine shreds Right here are the two operations upon which depend the success of powdered tea-making A tiovicc will spoil it by improperly mixing the water and tea together or through inexperience in sturing The latter operation requires deitness and long practice, while the other is nothing more nor less than a piece of legerdemain. When ready the draught of tea in the dipper is served by the hostess or her maul, accompanied by an elaborate bow. In serving, the maid holds' the vessel containing the tea high up, e\ en with her head, and alter bowing and serving it in a sitting posture, she arises and returns to her place, walking backward.

The Three Symbols The three symbols of the imperial house of Japan, according to a -writer in ' Leslie's Weekly,' are tJie mirror, the crystal and the sword, and tihey are earned in front of the Emperor on all State occasions Each has its J. significance ' Look at the mirror and reflect thyself,' or. in other •words, ' Know thyself,' /is the message of the mirror. ' Be pure and shine ' is the crystal injunction, While the sword is a reminder to ' Be sharp.'